Final Report On the Investigation of Magnetic Anomalies at Masonboro Island and Masonboro Inlet

During October and November of 1977 the Wilmington District, USArmy Corps of Engineers sponsored a magnetometer survey of Masonboro Inlet und the northern end of Masonboro Island to isolate cultural material which might be adversely affected by inlet modification and jetty construction planned for 1978.

The remote sensing survey located one anomaly, site number four on Masonboro Island and an anomaly cluster in the inlet, site number three, which were interpreted as cultural material meriting further investigation. Additional examination and testing of site number four and site number three were carried out during April and May 1978 using an hydraulically assisted method of probing.

Although the investigation failed to generate more specific data concerning site number four, the technique confirmed the presence of material under the shoal at site number three and produced additional information which affords some insight into the nature of this site. While this information indicated that the anomaly at site number three is caused by the remains of a relatively modern vessel, it is possible that the wreck may be associated with material from a vessel lost considerably earlier.

This record originally was migrated into tDAR from the National Archaeological Database Reports Module (NADB-R) and updated. The attached digital file was scanned from a copy at the Research Laboratories of Archaeology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It was uploaded to tDAR with support from the North Carolina Archaeological Council, and is managed by the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology. Please contact the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology (contact below) for access to this digital file.